Switzerland

Switzerland is a mountainous Central European country, home to numerous lakes, villages and the high peaks of the Alps. Its cities contain medieval quarters, with landmarks like capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge. The country is also known for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Banking and finance are key industries, and Swiss watches and chocolate are world renowned. 

Famous for its mesmerizing alpine scenery, luxury branded watches, and deliciously milky chocolate. A melting pot of many different cultures, Switzerland is also known for its alluring cities and scenic train rides that showcase the best of the country's natural vistas.

The best time to visit Switzerland is between April and October, though winter sports enthusiasts may prefer December to March. The country has four distinct seasons, each with its own attractions. The spring months of March to May bring Alpine blooms, flowering trees and cows heading out to pasture.

Lake Brienz is a lake just north of the Alps, in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. It has a length of about 14 kilometres, a width of 2.8 kilometres and a maximum depth of 260 metres. Its area is 29.8 square kilometres, and the surface is 564 metres above the sea-level.

Oeschinen Lake (German: Oeschinensee) is a lake in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) east of Kandersteg in the Oeschinen valley. At an elevation of 1,578 metres (5,177 ft), it has a surface area of 1.1147 square kilometres (0.4304 sq mi). Its maximum depth is 56 metres (184 ft).

The lake was created by a giant landslide and is fed through a series of mountain creeks and drains underground. The water then resurfaces as the Oeschibach. Part of it is captured for electricity production and as water supply for Kandersteg.

In observations from 1931 to 1965, the elevation of the lake surface varied between 1,566.09 metres (5,138.1 ft) and 1,581.9 metres (5,190 ft). The average seasonal variation was 12.2 metres (40 ft) (September/April).

The lake is generally frozen during five months, from December to May. From time to time ice skating is possible on the ice.

Fish in the lake include Arctic char (Seesaibling), lake trout (Kanadische Seeforelle), rainbow trout (Regenbogenforelle). From January to March, ice fishing is popular.

A gondola lift from Kandersteg leads to Oeschinen, 25 minutes by foot from the lake.

Since 2007 the lake is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As of summer 2021, a circumnavigation of Lake Oeschinen is not possible. The reason for this is the danger of an imminent rockfall on the south shore, which is why paths are closed there.